FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 8/2/2010

Dane County crews have completed their work to re-pave and widen County Highway KP from Cross Plains, through the Village of Black Earth, and to the Village of Mazomanie. The road has been resurfaced and the shoulders have been paved in an effort to make the highway safer for motorists and bicyclists.

In addition to the wider, paved shoulders, Dane County Highway Department workers have replaced drainage structures and made other improvements along the highway to allow for the new shoulders.

"Because of this improvement project, Highway KP is now a safer route for all - - motorists, farmers, and bicyclists," County Executive Kathleen Falk said.

Dane County is paying $600,000 for the safety upgrades to the shoulders of the highway. The total cost of the Highway KP improvement project is $1.6 million. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation funded the $1 million resurfacing of the road.

Falk noted she hosted a recent meeting of local officials and bicycling enthusiasts and identifying other county highways to widen and pave shoulders was one of the recommendations discussed on ways to make Dane County roads safer.

“We’ll continue to look for opportunities like the Highway KP project where the county can make popular, scenic routes safer and easier for cars and bikes to share,” Falk concluded.